Darren Bent has reacted to Leeds United’s signing of French striker Jean-Kévin Augustin, claiming it to be ‘brilliant’ business from the Whites.

The Whites were very open in their hunt for a new striker in the January transfer window and left it until the final week of the window to secure their man, and he is RB Leipzig’s Jean-Kévin Augustin, who arrives on loan until the end of the season.

Leeds had been rebuffed three times in their attempt to sign Southampton’s Che Adams and quickly took their search to Europe and landed on then-loaned-out striker Augustin, who cut his loan at Monaco short to move to Elland Road on Monday.

Speaking to Football Insider, Darren Bent reflected on this signing, heaping praise on the Whites for securing such a high-profile signing to plug a very alarming gap in the squad. He stated: “That is brilliant, I think, a really good bit of business for them.

“Leeds are still in the hunt, I don’t know what is going on with West Brom and Leeds at the moment because it’s like neither of them want to go and get promoted but Leeds are in with a shout.

“It’s an interesting time for Leeds but getting this player over the line is a great signing. They need to get back to winning ways though.”

Leeds needed an injection of freshness into this squad as the turn of the New Year hasn’t been kind to them, as they are yet to win in 2020. However, the signing fo Augustin will go a long way to helping Leeds in a very concerning area of their play: scoring chances.

At present, Patrick Bamford has 10 league goals which could have been doubled with the volume of quality chances that have fallen his way this term.

Augustin will be looking to hit the ground running for the Whites and add the goals they need to finally clinch promotion back to the Premier League.

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The verdict

There is no doubting that a signing of this calibre will be seen by the whole division as a serious statement of intent by Leeds, given Augustin’s pedigree throughout his short career.

Having played for some of Europe’s top clubs, Augustin arrives at Elland Road with lofty expectations but clearly capable of living up to them, after performing in the Europa League and Champions League.

Leeds are in desperate need of wins to get their push for automatic promotion back on track and a signing of this calibre could be the boost that the players and the club need to do so.

Bamford’s spot is also under serious threat now and his form will have to pick up if he wants to remain Marcelo Bielsa’s first-choice striker for the rest of the season.